Issue 43.09

Isolation, loneliness and depression affect many seniors, and can become a serious problem if not dealt with.  Changes in life circumstances can create a period of loneliness for anyone.  The death of a loved one, relocating to a new area, the loss of a job, retirement or a long illness can leave us feeling lonely.  When we are lonely, time seems to slowly grind by and we may doubt whether anyone would find us interesting enough to offer us their friendship.  If left unchecked, loneliness can turn into depression, a more serious condition.  Learning ways to reach out and reconnect with the world around you can be incredibly helpful.

Fortunately, loneliness can be overcome, although it does take some initiative on your part.  You might find some of the following strategies helpful.

Make the effort to meet and interact with new people.

The senior center can be a wonderful resource, often organizing classes, outings and social functions for people who want to enjoy life with other seniors.  Churches, health clubs, educational classes, travel clubs and special interest groups are good places to meet people of all ages.

Never miss an opportunity to introduce yourself to someone.  Ask others about themselves and let them know something about you.  Most people are happy to include newcomers, but growing new friendships requires ongoing contact and an effort on your part.  Don’t forget your old friends and neighbors.  Renew connections with friends you have lost touch with.  Organize a luncheon or neighborhood get together.

Volunteering your time and talents can also help to put your own situation in perspective.  Bring a positive attitude to the things you can do to help and be thankful that you are able to do so.  Making life easier for someone else is a wonderful way to reconnect with others.

Hobbies can keep you motivated.  There are many hobbies that are possible even if your mobility is challenged.  Find people to connect with that share your interests and hobbies.  That way you know that you share some of the same interests, and can give you a starting point for a lasting friendship.

You can always adopt a pet.  Most people find it impossible to feel lonely in the company of a pet.  Pets love unconditionally, they are always accepting and they never criticize.  They are very forgiving and they are able to give us great pleasure.  Caring for a pet can renew meaning and purpose in your life.

Loneliness can indicate depression, a disease causing mental and physical deterioration.  Feelings of sadness and despair, loss of appetite, reluctance to make decisions, and trouble sleeping are all signs of depression and should be discussed with your doctor.

With so many opportunities available to join groups or to volunteer, there is no reason for you not to get out into the community and get involved. Learn to enjoy your life!!

Issue 43.09

This article is an interview with an actual neck pain patient from St. George.  John W., age 73, had neck pain ever since a car accident in 1963.  He had been to many different doctors where he found only temporary relief.  “In those 40 years I have found the most relief after visiting Advanced Spine & Rehab,” he said.

How did you feel before coming into AS&R?

Ever since the accident I have had neck pain and stiffness.  My range of motion had become very limited.  The pain and muscle spasms would randomly come on after simple movements like turning my head.  I would rate my pain at 7/10.  It was very frustrating.

What kind of care had you previously received?

I had received previous chiropractic care, diathermy, acupressure, and decompression.  They all seemed to help, but the relief was always temporary.

How was treatment at this clinic different?

I previously found that chiropractic care and decompression helped me the most.  AS&R offered a similar treatment but integrated it with neck exercises on the Multi-Cervical Unit.  I feel that really helped.  Instead of the pain coming back, I felt the pain gradually decrease.

How do you feel now?

This has been the best total relief I have experienced in the last 40 years.  I used to notice popping and crunching sounds in my neck when I moved around.  I now don’t hear that at all.  I feel my range of motion is back to normal for my age.  I have very few spasms.  I am able to check my blind spot while driving.  Previously I had to depend on the rear view mirror exclusively.

How is this clinic different than others you’ve been to?

The clinic here is more advanced than I have seen with other providers.  The doctors and staff are very caring.  The experience was more fun than a usual doctor visit.  You look forward to coming in for treatment.  I also felt the doctors and staff had a better handle on my insurance benefits.  I’m glad I made the decision to visit this clinic.

Advanced Spine & Rehab is an integrated chiropractic clinic specializing in treating senior patients with conservative therapy. These doctors practice in a professional, gentle, and pressure-free atmosphere. A large portion of their base includes satisfied Medicare patients. Call us if you have any questions at 435-656-3266 or visit our website for more info – www.StGeorgePainRelief.com.

Issue 43.09

My friend Holly Hansen is planning the sixth annual family history expo for February.  She has allowed me to extend her early bird special to Senior Sampler readers.  This is a discounted price for conference goers of only $55.00.  If you have ever paid to go to another conference, say the one at Brigham Young University, you will know it costs $175.00 plus housing.

Holly said she is excited to announce the registration is open for the 6^th Annual St. George Family History Expo.  It will be held Feb. 26 & 27, 2010.  Take advantage of this special pricing for Senior Sampler readers and you will be rewarded with a discounted cost of only $55.00 for the full two-day registration. 

Holly and her company, Family History Expos hold this genealogy convention every year in February in St. George at the Dixie Center.  Registering will get you into the conference for the two days to receive instruction from some of the leading experts in the field of genealogy.  You will be able to visit the exhibit hall and see the new products related to genealogy on display and talk to the exhibitors.

The conference usually includes classes on a variety of subjects from using genealogy programs to doing research in various parts of the world.  The presidents of organizations such as RootsMagic, Ancestral Quest, Ohana Software, etc. are generally there doing presentations and answering questions.  Each class lasts one hour and you have many to choose from during each hour.  There is a key note speaker to start out the conference on Friday morning. 

Holly provides an online syllabus so you can study the materials to see which classes you would like to attend, once you register and she gets it online.  I have attended the conference on Family History & Genealogy at BYU, the Utah Genealogical Association conferences, and the Family History Expo in St. George and the Family History Expo is every bit as good as the larger conferences.

To register, you go to http://www.fhexpos.com/events/upcoming.php?event_id=54

FamilySearch staff will be there to teach and present information about the New FamilySearch program and their other new products available.  They will answer your questions and take comments.

Staff members from Ancestry.com will cover topics from What’s New on Ancestry.com to the best search strategies to creating family history books that people will read.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts in a two-day time period that will really give you the boost you need.  The offer is available until October 26, 2009.

Shanna Sullivan Jones is a professional genealogist.  For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com

Issue 43.09

With all due apologies to the old Neil Sedaka song, the hard thing is not backing up the important files on your computer, but recovering from a computer or hard drive crash in which you have lost legal or financial files, family pictures, genealogy or other files that are difficult or impossible to replace.  With new technologies and some creative ideas, there is no reason why you should not have a backup (at least one) of everything that matters.

The first thing to consider is your photos.  In the past, they were stored in a shoebox under the bed or in albums.  Now photos are electronic.  Some may have been printed, but the larger percentage are usually stored on your hard drive after having been transferred from a digital camera or cell phone.  In addition to the general backup ideas below, I recommend that you send copies (either by email or by copying them and mailing them) to family members to keep.  You can offer to keep copies of their pictures as well.  This does a couple of positive things.  You are sharing your memories with those you care about and you automatically have an off-site backup of those pictures.

Another type of off-site backup is available through the internet.  Programs like Kodak’s Easy Share provide on-line storage for your photos.  Additionally, all your files can be backed up online through programs like Carbonite and Mozy.  They are available at http://www.carbonite.com and https://mozy.com/.

Additionally, you can make backups of all your important files by writing them to flash drives, writable CDs and DVDs and external hard drives.  Many external hard drives even come with automatic software to create backups quickly and easily.  If they don’t have backup software, you can easily drag and drop your files to copy them from your hard drive to the destination drive.  It’s a little more cumbersome, but worth the time.

One quick note about a common problem in backing up files: Email, address books and a few other types of files are often not in the documents folders (depending on which email program or version you are using).  They can even be in hidden areas of your hard drive which are not normally backed up by on-line or automatic backup programs.  You have to make special efforts to back up these types of files if they are hidden, and you may need to consult a specialist if you can’t find them.  

In any case, take the time today to create a backup strategy and get started.  You might be glad you did tomorrow.  Remember, stay safe and happy computing – and always have a backup of anything important.

Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 27 years (locally with Musicomp & Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions, you can reach him at 668-7118.

Issue 43.09

Nowadays with all the vaccinations and shots available, many common childhood diseases such as rheumatic fever, typhoid, measles, small pox and polio have almost been eradicated in developed countries.  Knowledge of how to treat these diseases or even what caused them in earlier times was lacking.  There were only home herbal treatments.

When my grandmother was young, she was stricken with rheumatic fever and became very ill.  Her baby brother George had died earlier with rheumatic fever when it came to their community.  I recall her telling me that “I got rheumatism in my legs, and my feet turned right around backwards.”  In time she recovered and her feet returned to normal, but how frightening for mothers in those days, not knowing when or if their family would become ill or how to treat them.  Many families were quarantined to prevent spreading of the disease.  This was the case with the influenza outbreak in the early 1900s.

My grandmother continues, “When I went to school, it was a one room and I never did graduate because my mother got sick and I had to stay home and do the work and take care of all the kids.  I learned to mix bread when I was 6 years old.  We had to wash on the board for a long time then later Dad got a washing machine.”  Disease took it toll on early families regardless of age, occupation or financial status.

I remember a childhood illness of mine that started with a cold then turned into pneumonia.  My grandmother quickly came to the aid of my mother with her experience from raising three children.  I was bundled up and a hot mustard plaster applied to my chest to help my breathing.  Then mentholatum was put on my chest.  With time and tender care, I was restored to my usual good health.

During my childhood there was a great fear of polio.  I was warned not to get chilled or I could catch this frightening disease that crippled many children.  Some individuals even ended up in iron lungs for assistance with their breathing or wearing braces the rest of their lives to support their legs for walking.  Nowadays, children need have no fear for many diseases of my childhood as they can be vaccinated or have shots to protect them.  Unfortunately, we are finding new diseases like the swine flu to fight. (To purchase a collection of past columns in book format, contact lin@sunrivertoday.com)

Issue 43.09

It’s that time of year again – when people in many parts of the country feel a new chill in the air each morning, and put an extra quilt or blanket on the bed.

It’s also the time of year when many states offer energy assistance to people who have low income and resources.  Under the energy assistance program, your state may help with the cost of heating your home during the winter.  But to get it, in most cases, you’ll need to provide proof of your income.  If you get Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you can get proof of the amount of your benefit quickly and easily by going online.  Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

There are a number of reasons you may need written verification of your benefit amount, besides energy assistance programs.  Perhaps you’re ready to make a major purchase and you’re trying to get a loan from a bank or financial institution.  Or maybe you’re applying for state benefits or moving into a new apartment or home.

Whatever your reason, Social Security makes it easy for you to get the written verification you need at www.socialsecurity.gov.  Just look in the left column under “What you can do online,” expand the “If you get benefits” section, and select the “Request a Proof of Income letter” link.

The letter can be used for any reason that someone requires proof of your income.  In addition to offering proof of your income, the letter is an official document that verifies your Medicare coverage, retirement or disability status, and age.  The letter does not include your Social Security number.

From the time that you complete the online request, it will take about 10 days for you to receive the proof of income letter in the mail.  If you need one sooner, you’ll want to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.

But for most people, simply requesting the proof of income online is the most convenient way to get what you need.  Get your benefit verification by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.

Issue 42.09

Most Young Adults Aren’t … And They Could Pay A Painful Price.

How bad is financial illiteracy today?  So bad that your adult children may be at risk of making some serious financial mistakes.  Recent surveys have shown that many young adults are not only wayward financially, but also pessimistic about ever becoming wealthy. Young women at particular risk.  A 2006 OppenheimerFunds survey of women aged 26-39 found that 62% of respondents had no investment accounts at all, and that 67% were living paycheck-to-paycheck.  In a 2005 Consumer Federation of America/VISA USA survey, 55% of the women polled between ages 25-34 had emergency savings of less than $500.

Surprising cynicism.  In 2005, the CFA and the Financial Planning Association undertook joint surveys that illustrated a startling expectations gap.  In the FPA survey, most of the financial planners contacted felt that more than 80% of young adults could amass $250,000 in net worth over a 30-year period, and that about 50% could accumulate $1 million of net worth in the same time span.  But only 26% of the young consumers the CFA surveyed believed they could amass $200,000 at any point in their lives, and only 9% felt they could someday accumulate $1 million.

A little knowledge can be dangerous.  Don Blandin, CEO of the non-profit Investor Protection Trust, commented that “the entry of most Americans to the securities market is by buying a product rather than understanding the process.”  Too many young investors elect to fly solo into the stock market through the Internet; too many young homebuyers know just enough (but not enough) about mortgage and lease options.

Prescriptions in progress. The Ad Council and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants have started a national campaign, Feed the Pig™, to try and correct this dilemma (learn more by visiting www.feedthepig.org). The National Council on Economic Education has also helped launch www.TheMint.org to provide young adults with vital financial principles.

Scott S. Lovell is the founder of Lovell Hathaway, Your Retirement Specialist^SM , and is a registered representative offering securities and advisory services through Geneos Wealth Management, Inc.  Member FINRA and SIPC.  For additional information, Scott can be reached at (435) 656-2518.

This article was written by Peter Montoya, Inc., not the named Representative or Broker/Dealer, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative or Broker/Dealer give tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.

Issue 42.09

In doing estate planning, it is essential to plan not only for death — but for life.

Lifetime planning involves preparing for the care and management of assets in the event you become incapacitated.

There are two main objectives of lifetime planning.  First, it is important to plan for the effective administration of your estate upon incapacity.  Second, it is important to preserve the estate if your incapacity requires professional long-term care. 

Effective administration of your estate during incapacity.  In planning for the administration of your estate during incapacity, it is critical that certain documents be executed. 

All individuals engaging in estate planning should strongly consider executing a durable power of attorney.

A durable power of attorney will enable someone else to manage your assets should you become unable to manage your own assets for any reason.  If the power of attorney is not “durable” (which means it specifically states that it will be effective in the event of your incapacity), it will not be effective if you become incapacitated.  Significantly, many powers of attorney are not durable powers of attorney.

Preservation of your Estate During Incapacity.  In addition to concerns related to how your estate will be administered during your incapacity, you must also consider expenses related to an extended period of incapacity.

In a previous article, I explained that Medicare and private insurance do not cover long-term care (care for the basic functions of life such as eating, dressing, bathing) for extended periods.  Medicaid is the government program that covers extended long-term care.  Because Medicaid is a welfare program for the poor, an individual will only qualify after income and assets have been depleted. 

In doing lifetime planning to preserve your estate during incapacity, it is usually not advisable to deplete your estate in order to qualify for Medicaid.

A more effective approach for planning for incapacity would be the purchase of long-term care insurance.  Long-term care insurance greatly eases the burden of paying for long-term care. 

In working with families that have long-term care insurance within their estate, I have found a much greater degree of comfort and security. 

Jeffery J. McKenna is an attorney licensed in three states and serving clients in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. He is a partner at the law firm of Barney, McKenna and Olmstead, with offices in St. George and Mesquite.  He is a founding member of the Southern Utah Estate Planning Council. If you have questions or topics that you would like addressed in these articles please email him at jmckenna@barney-mckenna.com or call 435 628-1711.

Issue 42.09

Part 2 (part 1 available at www.seniorsampler.com)

Under the Gold Standard a person could take their paper dollars and redeem them for a fixed measure of gold.  Dollars were printed for the convenience of not having to haul around a heavy sack of gold or a crate of chickens.  The convenience of currency made commerce more efficient.  The requirement that the paper be backed by gold was to protect the public from the very situation we face today.

Governments do not create wealth, so when a hungry government wants money it has two basic ways to get it.  It can tax the people, which is generally unpopular, or it can just print what it wants.  Both methods result in a transfer of wealth from the private to the public sector, but the latter is much easier to get away with.

As money is printed, the currency already in circulation is slowly devalued.  We call this “inflation” because it takes more dollars to buy the same loaf of bread.  The value of the bread is not going up, but rather the value of your dollar is going down.  Inflation can be helpful to debtors as it allows them to pay for today’s products with tomorrow’s devalued dollars.  Is it any wonder then that governments, which are the world’s largest debtors, do not mind a healthy level of inflation?  Unfortunately what is good for government may not always be good for responsible people who are trying to save for their future.

Currently inflation is not a problem because of the recession.  However, with trillion dollar deficits, long-term inflation becomes a high risk to investors.  I drove by a bank that advertised a 5 year CD at 2.5%.  A person buying that CD is betting on inflation staying very low through 2014.  That is a big bet.  The same can be said of bonds, fixed annuities or savings accounts.  These traditionally “safer” investments are at great risk to stimulus-induced inflation.

One way to protect against inflation is to hold non-cash positions.  Government monetary policy can alter the price of bread, but cannot change its value.  Therefore, as Ted Fed’s stimulus dollars begin to flood the market, I will favor such things as income producing stocks, select natural resources and quality real estate positions.  Before the government prints another trillion dollars I want to be like Sid Smart and cash in some of those dollar chips for things of real intrinsic value.

Dan Wyson, CFP®  is author of the book “21 Financial Myths” and owner of Wyson Financial. 1173 S. 250 W #305 St. George 435-986-9525 – Securities offered through LPL Financial member FINRA/SIPC.

Issue 42.00

David Rencher spoke at the BYU Genealogy and Family History Conference and encouraged genealogists to adopt new technology, such as FamilySearch’s new online applications.  He knows it is a hard sell for some.  He spoke about changing from the old paper copies to the computerized version and when microfiche was replaced by computer indexes. 

Change is to be expected as products and services go through a natural life cycle.  Several popular family history products and services are at the end of their usefulness as technology provides better solutions.  One of the most popular products being phased out is Personal Ancestral File (PAF), a free family history program that was introduced in 1997.  FamilySearch is moving to an Internet-based system, usually referred to as the New FamilySearch.  People will still be able to use PAF on their computer and export their data to the New FamilySearch.  An additional program will enable PAF users to import information from the New FamilySearch back to PAF.

Other commercial genealogy software programs will also be able to work with the new system.  Rencher likes the idea of using an offline program with the new online system.  “You can maintain a working copy of your family history file on your own hard drive.  For many of us, that is a real comfort zone.” Rencher said.

Other products and services being phased out are census records on compact discs, the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and Pedigree Resource File and compact discs of the Family History Library Catalog.  FamilySearch is eliminating its paper products in favor of instantly up datable online guides.

Microfilm technology is also nearing obsolescence as fewer manufacturers are producing the necessary film to make copies.  “We don’t really have a choice,” Rencher said.  “We are not going to have microfilm to distribute to Family History Centers in the foreseeable future.  It’s going to come to an end, or it’s going to become so pricey that we will not be able to afford it.”

FamilySearch Indexing, online at indexing.familysearch.org, is quickly replacing the old method of indexing called the Universal Data Entry (UDE) tool.  For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the New FamilySearch will replace the older TempleReady system for submitting names of ancestors for proxy ordinances in LDS Temples, such as baptism for the dead.  The new system will help eliminate duplications and streamline the process.

Shanna Sullivan Jones is a professional genealogist.  For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.